Governor Ernie Fletcher and the Governor’s Office for Local Development (GOLD) today recommended for funding a $500,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to the city ofWilliamsburg.

ARC funds will be used for the construction of 14 miles of sewer main, two lift stations, 135 grinder pump stations and various appurtenances.“This infrastructure project is an ambitious one for the city of Williamsburg,” said Governor Fletcher. “Sewer service will be provided to 135 households and businesses along KY 90 and US 25, the proposed PRIDE Environmental Education Center and the Cumberland Falls State Park.”

Senator David Williams, R-Burkesville, said the sewer project will help spur economic development in the area. “Kentucky has made terrific gains in the development of the state’s infrastructure systems. We need this momentum to continue in order to create economic development opportunities for our communities.”

Representative Charles Siler, R-Williamsburg, said that he applauds the governor for recommending this project to ARC in Washington for funding. “I appreciate the governor’s support of this project. The current waster treatment plant at CumberlandFallsState Park is inadequate and expensive to maintain. This construction will allow the money saved on sewer service at the park to be used on other needs.”

Governor Fletcher is the current ARC States’ Co-Chair.As states’ co-chair, Governor Fletcher is responsible for representing the 13 ARC governors before Congress and the Bush Administration; serve as a member of various ARC committees; and provide guidance on policy and administrative issues concerning the commission.

ARC is a federal-state economic development program used to meet infrastructure needs as well as to support education,workforce development, leadership and civic capacity building, entrepreneurship, asset-based development and affordable and accessible health care. ARC is federally funded and available to Kentucky’s 51 most eastern and south-central counties. Applications for ARC funds are submitted to GOLD.The funding status of the project is pending approval from the federal level.